Why Do You Need To Certify Your Buildings As Green ?

Buildings have a direct impact on human health and the environment. Energy, water and natural resources are all used, and waste and harmful emissions are produced during the construction, renovation, operations and demolition of buildings. 

In the US buildings account for 41% of energy consumption, 40% CO2 emissions, 73% electricity consumption, 14% of all drinkable water usage, and 40% of raw materials in their construction and operation.

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Green building rating systems have been developed to address the impact the built environment has on our health and our planet. There are many green building rating systems out there but how good are they and do they adequately address the challenges form the looming climate crisis? 

Green building certification systems are a set of rating systems and tools that are used to assess a building or a construction project’s performance from a sustainability and environmental perspective. Such ratings aim to improve the overall quality of buildings and infrastructures, integrate a life cycle approach in its design and construction, as well as accelerating the pathway towards Net Zero and achieving decarbonisation goals. Buildings that have been assessed and are deemed to meet a certain level of performance and quality, receive a certificate proving this achievement.  

There are currently more than 100 building certifications around the world. So whatever project you are working on, whether it’s residential or commercial or small or large scale there’s a green building rating system that will help you meet your goals in terms of performance and quality. In this article we will touch on BREEAM (UK) and LEED (US) which are arguably the largest sustainability rating systems.

Benefits of Green Building Certifications

The main benefits of green building certifications include:

• Environmental Benefits such as energy and water efficiency, reduced carbon footprint and waste reduction.
• Economic Benefits like lower operating costs, increased property value, attracting tenants and investors.
• Health & Well-Being of Occupants with key markers such as improved indoor air quality and enhanced comfort for building users.
• Regulatory and Compliance Benefits include future proofing of the building and also help the company meet corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.
• Market Differentiation from competitors can help the brand image and reputation and show your company as a leader in Sustainability.

Some financial benefits to developers, occupiers and funders of green buildings can be seen in the below image:

BREEAM vs. LEED

An Introduction to BREEAM Certification

BREEAM, short for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, plays a crucial role in the UK’s construction sector. This assessment method certifies a building’s environmental performance, aiming to enhance sustainability practices. Developed by the Building Research Establishment, BREEAM stands out as one of the most utilised sustainability rating systems in the industry. 

The significance of BREEAM lies in its ability to guide designers and building owners towards improving performance and efficiency while cutting down on costs. Through a comprehensive evaluation process, BREEAM assesses buildings based on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Key categories include energy and water efficiency, land use, pollution reduction, waste management, health and wellbeing, transport, and innovation. 

The evaluation results in a detailed scoring system that categorises buildings based on their sustainability efforts. The rating ranges from Unclassified to Outstanding, reflecting the extent to which a building aligns with established sustainability standards. BREEAM certification serves as a valuable tool for promoting environmentally friendly practices within the construction industry, driving towards a more sustainable built environment.  

Source: BREEAM

An Introduction to LEED Certification

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system is widely used in North America, aiming at enhancing ecological sustainability. The system, often associated with the ‘green’ concept by the LEED Building Council, takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating building sustainability. It assesses various aspects such as site sustainability, water efficiency, materials and resources, innovation, regional priority, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, and waste reduction. 

During a building project, every action, from material selection to waste management, contributes to a point system crucial for earning certification. The accumulation of points determines the level of sustainability achieved. LEED certification allows buildings to earn a maximum of 110 points, with those scoring 80 or more being granted the prestigious LEED Platinum status. This recognition signifies the highest level of sustainability attained by a building.  

Source: USGBC West Michigan Chapter

Which Certification is Right for You ?

The differences between BREEAM and LEED stem from their origins, influencing their popularity in specific regions. BREEAM, originating in the UK and EU, aligns with local best practices and regulations along with EU Taxonomy goals, ideal for historic preservation and climate adaptation in the region. In contrast, LEED, developed for North America, offers global applicability, allowing crossover certifications between the two standards. 

BREEAM prioritises project management and climate adaptation, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and sustainable material choices. Its criteria align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. On the other hand, LEED emphasises cost savings, energy efficiency, and innovative design, drawing from ASHRAE standards. 

The certification processes are quite similar. Both BREEAM and LEED assessors can be utilised to help the client progress the project through the building design and construction stages. The assessor will make sure the design and construction teams are aware of the credits or points being targeted for the project and will provide guidance and education on what will be required to achieve these targets. They will collect evidence needed throughout the process and will coordinate the upload of evidence to the certification portal. Once all evidence for certification is uploaded, depending on the certification, the BRE (BREEAM) or the US-GBC (LEED) will complete their third-party review of the documentation. Should everything be satisfactory, the certification body will award certification for the project.  

Lawler Sustainability have both BREEAM and LEED assessors on our team and we would be more than happy to discuss any certification queries with you.  

To find out more about our BREEAM service or LEED service for your project visit the relevant service pages now. Our mission at Lawler Sustainability is to make our buildings more energy-efficient, cost-effective to operate, and sustainable.

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